Handshake

Yes, Handshake is completely free for students and recent graduates to create profiles, search for jobs, apply to positions, and communicate with employers. The platform generates revenue from employers and universities who pay to recruit through the system. Students can also register for virtual career fairs and employer events at no cost.

Handshake is specifically designed for college students and recent graduates, focusing on internships and entry-level positions rather than mid-career roles. It partners directly with university career centers, making it the official recruiting platform at many colleges where employers post campus recruiting events and career fair information. LinkedIn, by contrast, serves all career stages and lacks the university integration that drives early-career recruiting on Handshake.

Handshake offers privacy controls that let you choose whether your profile is visible to all employers or only to those you actively engage with. You can also opt out of appearing in employer searches entirely if you prefer. However, making your profile visible increases your chances of being discovered for opportunities, which is a primary benefit of the platform.

Handshake partners with hundreds of universities across the United States and serves as the digital platform for many campus career centers. Your school may use Handshake to post on-campus jobs, manage career fair registrations, and coordinate employer recruiting visits. If your university has partnered with Handshake, you can often log in using your school credentials to access school-specific opportunities.